During the month of December, the University Libraries staff make lists and check them twice. What are these lists about? Anything! You can look at past years’ lists here and stay tuned for more lists!
As an avid movie watcher and annoying Letterboxd user, it might surprise many that I don’t like rating or writing reviews about the movies I watch. There’s something that feels so final about it and it stresses me out trying to describe in words how a movie made me feel. I’ve noticed that when I’m recommending a piece of media (whether it be books or shows or movies) to someone, I often mention if it made me cry and consider my tearful reaction as proof of how good something is. I love when something moves me so much to the point of tears and I love going to the movies, so here is the ranking of all the movies I saw in theaters this year by order of how hard I cried:
(Disclaimer: I have cried at other movies this year! I just didn’t see them at a movie theater.)
- No Other Land
A documentary film created by Palestinian and Israeli activists that shows the destruction of Masafer Yatta, a Palestinian community in the occupied West Bank. Seeing the destruction and disregard for humanity on any screen, whether it be through the big screen or through our phones, is difficult.
2. Paddington in Peru
As a Mexican American, the “de aquí y de allá” of it all really resonated with me. Both me and Paddington are lucky enough to call two places home! This was not as good as the first two movies (I knew they would be hard to beat), but still an endearing and heartfelt watch.
3. Zootopia 2
“The world was never meant to be on one animal’s shoulders” has still stuck with me. I’m glad kids are being exposed to media about the power of friendship, vulnerability, and community!
4. Frankenstein
I love Guillermo del Toro and his gothic creature movies. This was such a humanizing take on a classic story, and it was a beautiful reminder that all we want is to feel love and be understood. I wanted to fight everyone who was mean to the Creature.
5. The Wedding Banquet
A delightful remake of the 1993 film, but with a queer spin. It’s a beautiful story about cultural family dynamics, being a queer person of color, and found family and community. It really takes a village to raise a child!
6. Eternity
I love a romcom and this did not disappoint. It’s a delightful and colorful original story, and a reminder that love endures all. I also like that it was not enforcing the idea that we only have one soulmate. We are fortunate to be able to make many meaningful connections throughout our lives and love can take different forms. I laughed and cried – the best of both worlds!
7. Matertialists
I liked the ideas this film tried exploring like how capitalism has influenced how we view marriage and love, but it fell flat for me. I did, however, love the ending credits with the Japanese Breakfast song playing softly in the background. Not my favorite by director Celine Song and definitely cried a lot more when watching Past Lives.
8. Die My Love
This movie was hard to watch. It was such an interesting exploration of motherhood and womanhood, and I appreciated the unhinged performances. I did not cry, but was on edge at times. Shoutout to the Logan Theater and discount Wednesdays.
9. Wake Up Dead Man
I love a silly little whodunit. I did not cry, but I did laugh a lot. Seeing this in an advanced screening during the Chicago International Film Festival with a theater full of people laughing was such a fun experience.
10. Phantom of the Opera (2025)
I don’t like scary movies. I thought I was going to be scared and miss most of the movie because I would be hiding my face, but I was just laughing a lot. I’m sure it was scary at the time it was released, but I’m brave! It was also a special experience because I saw this at the Music Box accompanied by a live orchestra.
Thanks for reading! I hope this inspires you to go to the movies. Go alone! Go with friends! Enjoy experiencing something and feeling things with a room full of strangers. Enjoy the snacks. Enjoy not being on your phone for 90 minutes. Support your local theater. Long live the cinema!
Andrea is the Research & Education Librarian for Arrupe College. When she’s not in her cozy office at Lewis Library or at Arrupe, she is at home wrapped in a blanket watching a movie with the subtitles on, thrifting, or drinking a cup of tea.
